Internal siphon gauge



Jan. 9, 1940. M KLE'lN- 2,186,871

INTERNAL SIPHON GAUGE Filed Dec. 3. 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 9, 1940. M, KLE|N 2,186,871

INTERNAL SIPHON GAUGE Filed Dec. 3, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l @350 7 mog Patented Jan. 9, 1940 PATENT OFFICE SIPHON GAUGE Maximilian Klein, Sellersville, Pa., assignor to United States vGauge Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application December 1936, serial No. A114,050

9 Claims.

This invention relates to pressure gauges of the type wherein it is necessary or desirable to provide some means for preventing the entry ofy the uid, the pressure of which is being measg ured, into the pressure responsive element.

Such means is usually in the form ofa trap or so-called siphon and commonly consists ofa looped tube connecting the gauge with the source of fluid pressure. If such looped tube of fpigtail is located externally of the gauge it is` exposed 'to .damaging blows and is also unsightly in appearance. It has been proposed to located the trap or Siphon within the connes v of the gauge casing Where itis protected and out of sight. Internal traps or siphons of this general type have not been wholly satisfactory, especially from a manufacturing standpoint as they involve complicated tubing arrangements and either radicalmodilcations of existing gauge structures or an excessive numberof soldering operations, which result in increased production costs. The present invention is hence concerned with internal siphons or traps designed to obviate these diiiiculties.. v

A principal obect of this invention is to provide a novel and improved internal siphon or trap which is' simple and inexpensive to construct, eiiiicient' in operation and substantially universally adaptable to various existing types a of pressure gauges without material alteration vof the structure thereof.

Another object of this invention is to ,provide an improved internal siphon or trap which'is of suiiicient volume to provide a body of liquid large enough to entirely lill the pressure responsive device but which occupies but little added space within the gauge casing.

A further robiectjofy this -invention isto provide an improved internal siphon or trap which is formed of a section of ordinary tubing secured at one end to the usual socket or post member and joined at its other end directly to the pressure responsive device or Bourdon spring.

A still further object of this invention is to provide novel means for supportingrthe joined vends of the Siphon or trap tube and spring ele-V ment on the post or socket member whereby both the siphon tube and the spring element are rigidly secured to the post or socket member.

Another object of this invention is to provide novel means for joining the ends of the siphon or trap tubing to the pressure responsive element or Bourdon spring element.

The above and other objects will become ap- .parent from a study of the following detailed descriptionv of several preferred embodiments of my invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a rear view'of a pressure gauge embodying one form of my invention with the back of the gauge casing cut away to show the interior thereof.

Figure 2 is a side elevation, partially in section, oeffhe device shown in Figure 1 viewed from the l Fgure 3 is a section of Figure 1 taken online Figure 4 is a view ,similar to Figure 1 of another form of my invention, with the casing and movement mechanism omitted.

Figure 5 is a detail view showinga modified form of the joint between the Bourdon spring element and the section of tubing.

Figure 6 is a detail fragmentary view showing a modication of the device of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a section of Figure 6, taken on the line 1--1 and showing the completed joint between the tubing and Bourdon spring.

Figure 8 is a. view similar to Figure '7, but showin intermediate step in the forming of the Jo Figure 9 is a front elevation of another modification oi' my invention, the casing and internal gauge movement being omitted.

YFigure 10 is a sectional view of the post or socket member of the gauge shown in'Figure 9,

taken on line I ll-i0, and showing the manner' lmodiiication, with the gauge casing removed.

Figure 12 is a frontelevation of another modication with the gauge-casing omitted.

Figure 13 is av section of the post or socke member of Figure 12 taken on the line |3-I3 of Figure 12 with the movement mechanismomitted, showing the manner of seeming the Siphon tube to the post or socket member.

Figure 14 is a front elevation of a still further modication with the gauge casing and"'mlov ev Ament mechanism omitted; and

Figure 15 is a section on line|5|5 of Figure 14, showing the post or -socket member and the manner of securing the pressure responsive element thereto.' t

With continued reference tothe drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts, and with particular reference to Figures land 2:

The usual post or socket member I0 is pro-l `Said element is of`lenticular cross-section and vided with a threaded lower end I2 for connection to the source of uid pressure and also with two rearwardly extending projections or bosses I4, '|4, which serve as a supporting means .for the casing I6, secured thereto by the screws I8, |8, and provided with the usual glass plate i9 held in place by the clamping ring 20. Mounted on the upper portion of member I0 is a frame plate 22 which is secured thereto by rivets 24, 24, or other equivalent means, and carried thereby is a second parallel frame plate member 26 which is spaced therefrom by spacing posts 28, 28.' A conventional movement mechanism is carried by the spaced platesY 22, 26A and includes the geared quadrant 30, the pointer shaft 32 and hairspring `34. This movement mechanismis conventional, forming no part of the present invention, and may take any other desired form. A dial 36 is mounted on 4the front face of the socket member I0 in any suitable manner and the shaft 32 extends therethrough carrying the pointer 38.

A pressure responsive device or Bourdon spring element 44 is connected to the movement mechanism by a link 40 carried by an apertured element-42 mounted in the free end of said spring element, the Hother end of said element being joined to a section of ordinary round tubing 46 at 52 in a manner to be further explained. The spring element is generally circular in shape and the tubing is curved similarly so as to surround.

other suitable means and communicates with the exterior of the post or socket member through suitable ducts or passages 49, 6|. Adjacent to its other end the said tubing is secured to the back of the post member at 48 by solder or equivalent means. Preferably, the lower boss member |4 is notched, as at 50, Figure 2, to receive the tubing and aid, with further solder if desired, in holding it in place. f

Figure 3 shows a suitable manner of joining the Bourdon spring element 44 to the tubing 46.

considerably thinner than the external diameter of the round tubing'46. The end of tubing 46 is fitted-inte the, spring element by slightly bulging the same, as shown, and secured therein by soldering. While the solder is still hotthe end of the spring element issqueezed together adjacent the tubing so as to close the end and bind it securely around the end of the tubing 44. This forms a very tight and secure joint which is, at the same time, simple to make. As can be seen the Bourdon spring element 44 is entirely supported by a straight end portion of the section of tubing 46 and forms therewith a liquid trap in a manner which will'be further explained hereinafter.

In Figure 4 a modified form of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2 is iuustrated. In this vided with a groove or slot 62 which is of a depth approximately equal to the external diameter of the tubing 46. One end of said tubing is secured within'the recess 41, as in Figure 1, while the other end thereof, adjacent to the joint between the same and the spring element 44, is received in this slot 62 and secured therein by solder or by equivalent means which may take the form of a clamp member secured to said socket member over the slot 62, The lower boss member I4 (not shown) if utilized in addition to the upper boss I4 is iitted into its receiving aperture 63 after the tubing has been placed in the groove 62. In this form of my invention a relatively narrow spring element may be used and positioned so as not to project beyond the rear of post l0. It is thus possible to omit both of the boss members I4, I4 and secure the casing I6 directly to the back face of post I0, thus materially decreasing the thickness of the gauge.

In the foregoing modifications the joint 60 between the end of tubing 46 and the spring element 44 may be similar to that shown in Figure 3, except that the bulged portion of the spring element will be located approximately midway between the sides of the spring element, due to the relative positions of the adjacent ends of the spring element and tubing, and the spring element will be squeezed together on both sides of the tube end. It is also possible to join the adjacent ends of the tubing'and spring element in,-,the manner shown in Figure 5 by means of an adapter element 64. This adapter element is shaped so as to receive'the round tubing 46 at one end and the flat spring element 44 at the other and these are secured therein by soldering orother equivalent means. y

In Figure 6 another manner of securing Athe end of the tubing to the'post is shown which differs from that of Figure' 4 in that the tubing 46 is flattened where it is to be received in the groove 62 and said groove is made correspond- 'ingly narrower. The flattened end 66 of the tubing 46 is joinedA bathe Bourdon spring element as shown in Figures 7`and (8. The end of the spring element is spread open slightly to receive the end of the'tubing (seeFigure 8) which is then soldered therein. While the solder is still hot the sides of the spring element are squeezed together slightly, as shown in Figure 7, thus clamping the spring element and' tube end together and closing the end of the spring element with solder 66.4 y

In the modification shown in Figures 9 and 10, the post or socket members |00 is provided with a rearwardly extending portion I2, threaded as at ||4, and with forwardly projecting portions ||6, ||6 having tapped holes III, III.

'I'he usual gauge casing, not shown. is secured to the rear face ||9 of the post or socket member |00, at '|28, |28, and the dial (not shown) is mounted on the portions |'|6, ||6 by suitable screws engaging the tapped holes III, A

conventional movement mechanism (not shown,

but seeFig. 11) is secured to a face ||8 of the socket member by suitable securing means engaging the holes |20, |22. A projecting portion l|24 is machined, or otherwise formed, on the post or socket member |00 to provide a ledge or shoulder 26, as shown in Figure 10. Instead of a ledge or shoulder |26 theA portion |24 may be provided with a forwardly opening groove or slot similar to slot |21 in Figure 14.

A curved section of ordinary tubing |36 is secured at one end within a recess or hole |26 which communicates with the exterior of the gauge through suitable ducts |30, |32, |34, At its other end the section of tubing has a straight portion which is seated on the ledge or shoulder |28 and secured thereto by solder as at |38, Figure 10. This end of the tubing |36 projects slightly beyond the ledge and is fitted into and joined at |40 to the Bourdon spring element |42 in any of the manners above described. An apertured element |44, carried by the spring element is connected to the movement mechanism, not shown, by means of a link, not shown,y as in Figure 11. Y

The modification shown in Figure 11 is the same as that of' Figures 9 and l0 except that the .discharge end of tube |36 is passed through a prises plates |50, |52 held in spaced relation by A the posts |54, |54, a geared quadrant |56, pointer spindle |60 and hairspring |62. The geared quadrant is connected to the spring element. |42 by the link |58, pivotally secured-to the apertured element |44.

Figures 12 and 13 show a further modification of tube mounting means in a slightly different gauge structure. The post 200 is provided with a rearwardly extending portion 2|2 threaded as at 2|4, and with forwardly projecting bosses 2 I6, 2 I6. A casing, not shown, is secured to the rear face 2|9 of the post member 200 by suitable screws 228 and a dial (not shown) is secured to `forwardly projecting portions 2|6, 2|6 by means engaging the tapped holes 2|`|, 2|1. Plates 250 and 252, spaced by the posts 254, 254, and mounte'd. on the post or socket member 200 by screws- 22|,1carry a conventional movement mechanism comprising geared quadrant 256, pointer shaft 260 and hairspring 262. The quadrant is operatively associated with the Bourdon spring ele'- ment by link 258 and element 244.

One end of the curved section of tubing 236 is secured in the hole^229 in the lower portion of thepost member 200 and communicates with the exterior of the gauge through passages 230, 232, 234. The other end of vsaid tubing is fitted into a slot or groove 22S-provided in the projecting portion 2|6 and secured thereinbysolder as at 238. .This end ofA thetubing is joined at 240 to the Bourdon spring element in any of the above explained manners.

In Figures 141and 15 is shown a still further -modication 'which is similar to those shown in' Figs. 9 to 11. The post member |0017 is the same as that shown in said figures and further description thereof is deemed unnecessary. In this modification the Bourdon spring element |42 is supported directly on the post member |001) and is joined to one end of the section of tubing |36 adjacent to said point of support by the joint |40. The other end of said tubing -is secured to' the member |00b and communicates with the ex teror of the gauge in thesame manner as in Figures 9 and 10. The detalls of the Bourdon spring support are as follows.- A projection |3| ever,

on the front of member `|001) is provided with a slot or groove ,|-2'|. The spring element is -positioned in said .slot or groove and secured therein by soldering as at |38, or by equivalent means.

'I'he operation of all of my improved siphons or traps is the same and -is briey as follows:

Steam or other fluid is admitted .to the secprovided inl the post member and owstherethrough to the Bourdon spring' element, `the spring element is distorted by the pressure of the fluid and this distortion is indicated on the dial by the pointer, throughthe medium of the movement mechanism, in the usual manner., ,Howit is noted that the section of tubing exabove the highest point of the thence downwardly to its point thereto. As, shown, the tubing is tends upwardly spring element of attachment tionv of ordinary tubingl through thevpassages curved around the spring element in concentricity therewith but'this exact form is lnot essential, as any form of the tubing which has a trap portion lof substantial volume adjacent the open end of the spring element Iwill suffice. It forms a simple and compact arrangement occupying but little extra space in the casing and not interfering with the gauge mechanism. f

The downwardly extending portion of the section of tubing, together with the Bourdon spring element, forms a trap or siphon as can readily be seen from the several figures of the drawings. When vsteam is the fluid entering the gauge it condenses while passing through the section of tubing and into the spring element, such condensation being enhanced by the relatively thin walled structure of the same. Eventually the Bourdon spring element will be entirely lled with liquid, with the exception of space occupied by air trapped therein, and likewise the downwardly extending portion of the tubing will be lled with liquid. Asthis body of liquid is greater than the volumetric capacity of the spring element byan amount equal to the capacity of said downwardly extending portion it is obvious that its presence will eifectively prevent the entry of high temperature steam into the spring element. The shape of the tubing section obviously precludesl the escape of this body of liquid when the uid pressurev is cut-oii. f

In all the modifications the sections of ordinary tubing as well as the Bourdon spring elements are rigidly secured to the post or socket 'members in a simple but eiective manner. No

types of gauges and is so arranged as to not interfere with the usual spring elements or'operating mechanisms Inv this connection it is'to be especially noted i that a single conventional frame and movement may be universally used on the several embodiments described above by .virtue of the type -of joint used and also that the postor socket member may be conventionaland of minimum size. `It is also pointed out that in respect to most of the forms shown, although any method of assembly may be followed, it is preferable to assemble the Bourdon spring element and the siphon tube prior `to securing the same on the post or socket member. The soldered joint between these elements is first made and then the free end of the siphon tube and the end of same adjacent the joint, 'or the end of the Bourdon tube adjacent the joint, are secured in their respective recesses on the post or socket member. This facilitates the formation of the soldered joint between the Bourdon spring element and siphon tube'as' the same may be done on a bench and with the point vof juncture readily accessible. Also the siphon tube can be left straight while this soldered joint is being made and later bent .to its iinal form.

readily adaptable to various types of existing gauges without costly modiflcations thereof or the provision of expensive extra. parts, and which Voccupies little extra. space within thegauge casing, but whichat thev same time provides absolute protection to the Bourdon spring element meaning and range of equivalency of the claims` are thereforeintended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a gauge of -the type described, a socket member, a Bourdon spring element' o f generally circular shape, a circular section of cylindrical tubing surrounding said element secured at one end to said member and adapted torbe connected at said end to a source of fluid under pressure, means securing the other end of said tubing to said member, and means joining said spring element to said last named end of said tubing, said spring element and a portion of said tubing forming a liquid trap.

2. In a gauge of the type described, a socket member having a projecting portion, a generally circular Bourdon spring element, a circular section of cylindrical tubing surrounding said spring element and joined thereto at one end, the other end of said tubing section being secured to said socket member and connected to a source of uid pressure, a portion of said joined spring element and tubing assembly adjacent the, point of juncture thereof being secured to said projecting portion.

3. In a gaugeof the type described, a socke member provided with a shouldered portion, a circular section of cylindrical tubing securedat one end to said shouldered portion, a generally circular Bourdon spring element joined to said end of said tubing adjacent said shouldered portion, said tubing surrounding said spring element I connected to a source of iluid pressure.

4. In a gauge of the type described, a socket member provided with a recess, a circular section of cylindrical tubing secured at one end in said recess, a generally circular Bourdon spring element joined to said end of said/tubing, the other end of said tubing being secured to said member and adapted to be connected to a source of fluid pressure, said tubing surrounding said spring element to form therewith a liquid trap.

5. In a gauge of the type described, a socket member provided with a recess on the back ther'eof, a generally circular Bourdon spring element,

a circular section of cylindrical tubing surround ing said spring element and joined thereto at one end, the other end of said tubing section being secured to said socket member and connected to a source of fluid pressure, a portion of said joined spring element and tubing assembly adjacent the point of juncture being secured within said recess.

6. In a gauge of the type described, a socket member provided with a forwardly projecting portion having a groove in its upper surface, a generally circular Bourdon spring element, a circular section of cylindrical tubing surrounding said spring element and joined thereto at one end, the other end of said tubing section being secured to said socket and vconnected to 'a source of uid pressure, a portion of said joined spring element and tubing assembly adjacent the point of juncture being secured within said groove.

'7. In a gauge of the type described, a socket member, a generally circular Bourdon spring element, a circular section of cylindrical tubing sur rounding said spring element and joined thereto at one end, the other end of said tubing being secured to said socket member and connected to a source of fluid pressure, a portion of said joined spring element and tubing assembly adjacent the point of juncture being secured to the back of said socket member.

8. In a gauge of the type described, a socket' tubing and an end of said spring element comprising and adapter device, and means for mounting. one -of said joined ends on said socket member, said tubing extending above said spring element to form therewith a liquid trap.

. 9. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said tubing -is ilattened at one end and said spring element is joined to said attened end.

MAXIMILIAN KLEIN. 

